Glaucoma alters the expression of NGF and NGF receptors in visual cortex and geniculate nucleus of rats: effect of eye NGF application.
We investigated the effect of glaucoma (GL) on nerve growth factor (NGF) presence in two brain visual areas. Rats with elevated intraocular pressure (EIOP), induced by hypertonic saline injection in the episcleral vein, were treated with eye topical application of saline or NGF. Rats were subsequently sacrificed, and brain tissues were used for immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular analyses. We found that GL alters the basal level of NGF and NGF receptors in brain visual centers and that NGF eye application normalized these deficits. These findings demonstrate that the reduced presence of NGF can arise due to degenerative events in retinal and brain visual areas.
Sposato
Valentina
V
Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Section of Neurobiology, National Research Council (CNR), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64/65, I-00143 Rome, Italy.
Parisi
Vincenzo
V
Manni
Luigi
L
Antonucci
Maria Teresa
MT
Di Fausto
Veronica
V
Sornelli
Federica
F
Aloe
Luigi
L
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA